Answers to the NCSC questions for Small Businesses wanting to move to home-working

This week the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) a UK government agency released this blog post describing what questions a small business should ask of themselves and their IT provider when transitioning to a work from home environment.

We know our clients have experienced a smooth transition to home-working. So much so that in some cases, clients are not renewing their leases on their offices. Instead, they're moving their company to a home working model for the foreseeable future and beyond.

To assist you in moving to a work from home environment, we have answered the NCSC questions.

What technology do you use already?

If you don't have an IT support provider, this can be a tricky question to answer. You've probably got a mix and match of technology collected over the years, such old desktop computers, that you've meant to replace, but never got around too. Now would be an excellent time to replace those old computers with some modern lightweight laptops. You'll also have an unmanaged collection of software; some staff will be using personal Dropbox accounts to store and share files. Maybe some dodgy copies of Adobe Photoshop, and more. You'll have no oversight or control over the data and software your team is using. Additionally, the software is most likely not up to date or secure, do you check to make sure everyone has installed the latest security updates? Probably not.

This is where having an IT support partner like Kimbley IT would help. Rather than your staff using whatever bit of software is in fad this week to store files, make video calls and share data, these would all live under on system. For our clients, they use G Suite.  Once you have control of your data, only making sure the right people can access what - making a move to home working is a breeze - as everything your employees need access to is nicely sorted under one system. Likewise, with software updates, our clients don't worry about updating, why should they, it is not their job? Instead, we deploy magical software on their computers to keep them updated, secure and to protect your team against all the baddies on the internet wanting to do them harm.

Are you using cloud services?

There is a good chance you are using Microsoft Office 365, and you believe you're "in the cloud". Sadly, this is not the case. Microsoft Office requires you to install software on your computers, such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint - if you are installing software, you are not working in the cloud.

You may be asking "What's the problem with installing software?" Fair question. When you install software, there several hidden costs. You'll need to buy computers that are powerful enough to run the software at a reasonable speed - for silky smooth working. You'll have regular security updates to install, and then don't forget the big annual updates (that even IT professionals loathe), where you'll need to relearn the program. Your team will find it harder to work from any location as they will need to bring the computer with them that has the software installed, so they get tied to using one device.

Clients at Kimbley IT only need their web browser (Google Chrome) to access all their emails, calendars, appointments, folders and files, video calls, chat and more. There is no software to install, and they can access their stuff on any device, mobile, laptop, a tablet or anything else that they have picked for the day. Working gets a lot easier too; for example, no longer do you need to search and find files to attach to an email. Instead, you can give your collaborators direct access to files and watch them make the contributions in real-time, and revoke their access at a later date.

Do you have access to IT Support?

Probably not, as you are reading this article. 

Kimbley IT clients do subscribe to our IT support service; which frees them up to have fun while getting work done from anywhere they wish, with ease.

What cybersecurity measures do you have in place?

If you've never had IT support at any point in the past, you probably don't rate IT too highly in your business - so it is doubtful you have any decent cybersecurity in place. We could probably break into your businesses technology - relatively quickly.

Kimbley IT clients have numerous levels of security. From the common; security training, web filtering, two-factor authentication, password managers to more exotic solutions that we don't go into detail publically - so the bad guys don't know what we are using.

However, we do guarantee your business will get hacked one day, not because the technology has let you down, but because someone in your team will have a bad day, and got caught out. All the security we put in place is there to minimise the damage that happens on that day.

Are there any regulations you need to follow?

This will depend on the industry you operate in. Hopefully, you know what regulations you need to be following - if you don't and you work in a regulated sector - you should pull your socks up and get your act together.

At Kimbley IT, we have no clients that work in regulated industries, so apart from the usual business laws none currently need to implement specific practices. But, that has not stopped us from being prepared for any client that does. As you will have read earlier, all our clients run in the cloud on G Suite. With G Suite, our clients already are complaint with the vast majority of regulated industries from financial, legal through to healthcare and more - and of course, GDPR which affects us all!

Do you have cyber insurance?

Nope, you don't. No business without IT Support ever does. 

Not only is Kimbley IT fully cyber insured we recommend and advise our client to take some time with our prefered insurance partner to make sure they have the correct cyber insurance for there needs. 

Remember earlier we guaranteed them they will get hacked someday, so it is worthwhile making sure they have adequate protection. It would be best if you did the same too.

What should you do next?

If you've answered no to most of these questions laid out by the NCSC, book a video call with us, and let's see if we can help you put in place a system that allows your team to collaborate, be productive and have fun while your team work from home.